Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
It was like high school all over again. Daimon reached for my face and caressed it softly. I’d like to think he was soothing me from her remark, but I knew him better; he was playing his part. I turned toward him and offered him a smile as I eased into his touch. Daimon took my face into his palm and made me look at him.
“So, about the Hamptons?” he asked so lovingly that I had to remember I was playing a role.
“Too many stuck up people,” I smiled.
“I agree,” he winked. “So I guess it’s a no for the Hamptons, Clara. Maybe I’ll see you around.” He tried to dismiss her but she was not one to dismiss so easily.
“You can’t seriously still be fascinated with her?” she growled quietly, not wanting to make a scene. His hand never left my face and he continued to leisurely feather my cheek.
“Can’t help it,” he answered her while looking at me. “Now if you don’t mind, Clara, I’d like to enjoy the rest of my meal.” He took his eyes off me and frowned at her.
“Fine,” she hissed.
I yanked my face away from his hand and looked down on my plate. My vision blurred. Stupid tears. Fuck, I hated high school and here I was right back where I hated it the most.
“Addie?” Daimon called out.
“What?” I nearly snapped as I looked up at him.
“Not bad. You might be worth more than I paid for.” And there it was, the jab he was waiting to give me after my comment about him not being able to get a real girl. I said nothing and continued to look down at my plate as I ate, remorseful at what I had done to myself.
CUTS & BRUISED EGOS
After lunch, I had asked Daimon to take me home. Well not exactly asked him, more like demanded. I was too exhausted by his presence and the way the day turned out. Clara had brought me right back to memories I had tried desperately to forget. Daimon, however, had other plans. He refused, which didn’t go well with me.
“You know the rules,” he hissed, pulling me close to him.
“Do you honestly want me to be with you even if I'm not in the mood? I'm exhausted, Daimon. This day was too much for me,” I snapped.
“You’re exhausted?” he said sarcastically. “No wonder you can’t make any money,” he jeered.
I bit my inner lip to stop myself from crying in front of him. I wasn’t ever going to tell him about what had happened to me. Ever! Daimon Evans was just a paycheck to help me get Sofia through her first semester. Yes, granted, it was only for one semester, but at least she’d be there and then who knows what could happen.
“Go fuck yourself, Daimon,” I bit out.
I left him standing in front of Delmonico’s brooding. I was certain I was going to pay for it later. The question was what would he do to me? In high school, he would pull my arm hard, yanking me around to face him, or cut off my elastic, which held my hair up. He cornered me and made me listen to him whenever he felt the need to speak, threatening me if I didn’t do as he said. It didn’t matter about my mood or my assignments. Only he mattered and he made sure I knew it then and now.
As soon as I arrived back home I took off the stunning little dress, which for the first time in my life made me feel like I was a woman. I went straight to the shower and washed every area Daimon touched. Why the hell did I remember so vividly every inch of me that was touched by him? Fine, yes! Daimon was sexy; he was beyond sexy. It wasn’t about how he looked so much as how he was: strong, dominant and virile. Nothing ever stood in his way, he always was the one to go out and get what he wanted, no matter what the consequences. Hearing about his dilemma only made me wonder more. If Daimon didn’t want to marry, he wouldn’t have, unless he was cornered.
I had stepped out of the bathroom and saw Sofia had come home. “How was work?” I asked, drying my hair with a towel.
“Boring. You? How was your job interview?” she asked smiling.
“It went relatively well. I think I left the boss with a good impression of me.” I smiled thinking about his face as I abandoned him on the street.
“Dad?” I asked, throwing my towel in the laundry basket.
“Dad said he’ll close up then come home.” She crossed me and went to the kitchen.
“Sofia?” I called out to her.
“Yeah,” she cried back.
“I think if I get this job, then I'm almost certain I’ll have the rest of the money for you to go to college,” I said cautiously, hoping not to get into another fight.